Any music lover at least once in his life thinks about how to purchase a portable audio speaker. Undoubtedly, it is very convenient and practical, especially if you go out into the countryside or just go for a walk in a deserted park, where no one bothers him to enjoy his favorite music. Yes, and listening to tunes with the whole company is so much more convenient. Today we will consider wireless speakers JBL - a brand that has managed to establish itself as a symbol of reliable and high-quality equipment.
Candidates
For today's article and speaker comparison, we selected three devices of the same price category. They are not very different from each other, and it is between them that the average buyer can choose, standing in front of the counter in the store.
- JBL Charge.
- JBL Charge 2.
- JBL Micro Wireless.
We will consider them in detail and compare the ratio of price / quality indicators so that it is easier for you to make a choice when buying.
Characteristics
We begin our review by comparing the basic characteristics of the equipment provided. JBL Charge wireless speakers are presented in stereo format to the customer. This alone should please. Most of these products are available in monoform with a single speaker. Power speakers - 5 watts. By the way, for comparison, the speakers of the Iphone and Ipad family do not exceed 2.5 W, even at specialized stations. However, walking and listening to music from your phone without speakers or headphones is no longer fashionable, but unpleasant, perhaps this determines such a quality.
JBL Charge 2 differs from its previous version by as much as it overtakes other mobile gadgets. This device is equipped with two stereo speakers of 7.5 watts each. If you compare this value with the semi-professional Monster Beats headphones, they give out 30 watts each. Good enough for speakers in this price range.
What else can the column give the user? Wireless JBL Micro Wireless uses only one speaker, resulting in mono sound. And the power is not happy - only 3 watts. We can say that this device is intended for families. You put the baby to sleep, turn on the laptop and put the column closer to you so as not to wake the baby.
All presented devices can work both from batteries, and via USB.
Sound
The output power of audio equipment is, of course, important. But do not forget about other technical parameters. In this case, JBL wireless speakers adhere to an enviable constancy and quality.
All three of our candidates have the same signal-to-noise ratio of 80 dB. So, no matter how many speakers are in the device, they will play with the same purity of sound.
In addition, all gadgets are capable of reproducing high frequencies up to 20 kHz, which is fully consistent with the quality of analogues in this price category of devices. But the low frequencies let us down. JBL Charge 2 reproduces sound from 75 Hz, and it is much better than other candidates. The minimum threshold values for them are 150 Hz. Both indicators, frankly, are too high, so it’s unlikely that you can really enjoy the bass.
Design
In terms of design features, none of the devices stands out much. They are all single-band, which means that all outgoing sound will be “mixed” and not shared at different frequencies.
In terms of design features, only the size of the speaker can be distinguished. Arrange them in order of increasing diameter.
- JBL Charge - 38 mm.
- JBL Micro Wireless - 40 mm.
- JBL Charge 2 - 45 mm.
Based on the fact that we are dealing with portable speakers, this parameter does not have a special effect on sound and only determines the overall size and weight of the device.
Connection
One of the important factors. Since we are dealing with portable mobile devices, the convenience of connecting them to the main gadget plays a huge role. All three candidates support Bluetooth technology, and also connect to your devices using their own mini-jack wire.
Power is supplied by its own batteries. Accordingly, you simply can’t buy them in the market. Charging is carried out from a laptop via USB-interface or from any charger for mobile phones, which is very convenient if you are going camping and do not want to carry anything extra with you.
Food
Separately, it is worth mentioning the charge that the battery of devices is capable of carrying. Wireless speakers with Bluetooth JBL have a declared operating time of 12 hours, and JBL Micro Wireless - 5. However, it is worth considering the included headset. So in practice, things come out a little differently. Instead of the declared 12 hours, the user can get 6-7 if using Bluetooth, and in the case of JBL MW - all 2-3 hours. Of course, if you use a wire, the battery life will increase.
Dimensions
One of the most important parameters for JBL devices. A portable wireless speaker should be of optimal size to make it convenient to carry and use.
- JBL MW have the most compact size of the three options presented - 83x39x83 mm. In fact, we are dealing with a small gadget with a weight of about 130 grams, which is no heavier than a mediocre mobile phone. You can put such a device in your pocket or hang it on the built-in carbine and calmly forget about its existence.
- JBL Charge is more bulky than the previous version - 175x74x74 mm. This is expected as the device has two speakers. Weight of 400 grams is already felt, so this device is more suitable for those who walk with a backpack. You won’t hang it on the belt.
- JBL Charge 2 is a giant compared to other speakers - 185x79x75 mm. And the mass of a device in a pound will become an unpleasant brick behind you.
Prices
Summing up the considered characteristics, we can say that JBL wireless speakers are an excellent high-quality product. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages over others. In such situations, usually people pay attention to the price of the device. Let's look at the average cost of these gadgets for online stores.
- JBL Charge - 6,490 - 11,760 p.
- JBL Micro Wireless - 5 990 p.
- JBL Charge 2 - 7 990 - 10 990 p.
These are the data that Yandex.Market gives us. What do we see here? Despite the fact that the Charge family differs sharply from each other in characteristics, the newer model is in the same range as the old ones, and in some cities it is even cheaper. At the same time, the JBL MW is far behind in value, but this is to be expected, especially if you look at the specifications. And again, the choice is very difficult to make. If we can say that the JBL MW is a budget device with average characteristics, is it incredibly difficult to choose between the other two - weight or sound quality? In order to finally reach a verdict, we turn to the opinion of buyers.
Reviews
Let's start in order. We have already found out that JBL wireless speakers are very good in terms of their declared characteristics, but how much do they correspond to reality?
- JBL Charge. As for this device, users leave unambiguously positive reviews for 5 points. They are satisfied with everything from build quality and configuration to the presence of a port for charging other devices from the speaker. Among the shortcomings, some distinguish sound quality, but this was to be expected from speakers with such technical characteristics.
- Wireless speakers JBL Charge 2. But this relative of the previous version is not so smooth. Despite the fact that most buyers are satisfied with both volume and sound, the average rating for this device is 4. Many are not satisfied with the lack of a cover in the kit. And due to the fact that the manufacturer sought to expand the range of played frequencies, bass and low sounds very much prevail over the upper ones. Some say that the sound is "like a barrel."
- JBL Micro Wireless. This model pleases its owners in everything, although it receives conflicting reviews. If you remove all the negativity that is left by ever-dissatisfied people (it was better to do so, this is missing something and so on), then only one of the serious shortcomings remains - a short wire for charging and slight interference when using Bluetooth (if connected via cable, then they are absent, apparently, it catches third-party signals). Otherwise, the quality of the device corresponds to the declared characteristics. Only those who do not understand anything in technology remain dissatisfied. For its 3 watts, the speaker sounds quite loud and high quality.
Output
Against the background of their rivals, JBL Charge looks best. For a relatively low price you will get good stereo sound and good equipment for the device. In addition, the battery in this gadget will work much longer and will be able to recharge your phone. For those who can not afford big expenses, there is only JBL MW left, but at the same time consider the price / quality ratio and do not snort if something does not suit you. This device is fully consistent with the declared level.